New Eyes

I am not perfect by any means. I make snap judgments about people regardless if I know them. Even if I know them, does it mean I know their experiences? Their hurts? Their hopes? Their dreams and disappointments? Do I know their mind or their hearts? Only as much as they choose to let me. And then there is God. The all-knowing God. Who knows our hearts, our minds, our choices, our thoughts, and loves us in spite of them. I want to be more like Him. E.G.White said,"If the eye is kept fixed on Christ, the work of the Spirit does not cease until the soul is conformed to God's image." (The Desire of Ages, pg 302). Make in me a clean heart, renew a right spirit within me (Psalm 51:10) has become my constant request. Teach me to take captive my thoughts and make them obedient to the person He is making me to be (2 Cor 10:5). Give me your eyes, Lord, so I may see people as you do. Not as the person I think they are or have made them out to be.

Jesus reminds us to judge not lest we be judged (Matt 7:1). That starts with us seeing ourselves with His eyes and heart, too. To do that, we need to realize who we are. How He made us. How He loves us. And may the truth set you free! (John 8:32).

One day I read a list of Bible verses that describe who God says I am, no matter the circumstances in my life, both good and bad. I took that list of Scriptures and started to redefine my identity. It was a stark contrast to the way I defined myself by circumstances or others’ opinions of me. I finally realized that these issues don’t define me. Instead, I could tie my happiness to the reality of who my heavenly Father says I am [insert your name below]:

_______, the forgiven child of God. (Romans 3:24)

_______, the set-free child of God. (Romans 8:1–2)

_______, the accepted child of God. (1 Corinthians 1:2)

_______, the holy child of God. (1 Corinthians 1:30)

_______, the made-new child of God. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

_______, the loved child of God. (Ephesians 1:4)

_______, the close child of God. (Ephesians 2:13)

_______, the confident child of God. (Ephesians 3:12)

_______, the victorious child of God. (Romans 8:37)

We were made to be set free, holy, new, loved, and confident. Because of this truth, we can’t allow our minds to partake in anything that negates our real identity. Tying our happiness to food, skinny jeans, relationships, or anything else will only set us up for failure. But tying our security, joy, and identity to God’s love is an anchor that we can cling to no matter what the circumstances.

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